The Asterius of Amasea reading was particularly interesting to me because I feel like it encompasses (to a basic degree) a lot of the themes we have already covered. The text starts off with “The commemoration of the saints is good and useful, especially for those who strive for what is noble. Those who long for virtue and true religion are not only taught by words but also have in front of them, as visible lessons, the deeds of people who lived in a just way” (Amasea, 1.1). The text goes on to proclaim the glory received from God for those that respond in a noble fashion and praise is given to previous martyrs (including Phocas and Stephen). Within the same context of glory and honor with God, is the idea of relics being used to further the cause or make one worthy of fighting for God. Phocas gave himself willingly and selflessly as a martyr and was considered “A pillar of support to the churches of God, so do we have him from that moment until now” (Amasea, 9.1). In this statement and ones that follow regarding praise for Phocas, the reader can start to see the veneration of saints and the phenomenon that relics become. The shrine for Phocas becomes important to Christians because they can be close to the power of Phocas, who by his martyrdom received God’s favor, and therefore closer to God. The passage also talks about relics of Phocas being sent to other places in in order to spread the glory of Christianity and become “remarkable places to be sought by Christians; and this is also true for this holy place of assembly for those who celebrate” (Amasea, 9.1). There are a lot of different components within the text to discuss, but the main reason why I am interested in the collection and belief of relics and sainthood is because of the contribution the modern-day Christian memory. Even though it’s a concept from early in the term, it has stuck with me. I think it’s important to recognize that the transition of Roman spectacle, to religions martyr, to saint is one that has formed much of the Christian church. It’s fascinating for me to regard how the Asterius of Amasea makes connections to dying in the name of God and the importance of those people after their gone, making shrines and places to be close to God out of their relics.